Hey everyone!
We are officially on the field! One week ago we rolled up our tents and stuffed all of our belongings in our packs; it was time for our first of two back-to-back ten-hour flights. Those along with a day in Bangkok, a hostel with steep stairs, another one-hour flight, some exploration of Siem Reap, and a long bus ride made up the four day journey it took to get here. But we made it! Our squad is now spread out across Cambodia, each team at their ministry location where we will be living for the next month and a half.
We are staying at a house/church/radio station/school/soccer complex. Each morning after breakfast, we get the opportunity to go to houses around the community to get to know the locals, hear their story, encourage them, and pray for them. It’s really cool to see and hear about the ways that God has moved in their life.
In the afternoons we teach English at the school that is in our complex. The language barrier is real, but the kids are so excited to learn. I’m so excited to be with them everyday and get to know them. For our first class we are split into two classrooms (so I’m with three of my teammates) and the age range is from 5-12. Our second class is a little older but I am paired with only one other person from my team. Thank goodness she is a teacher back home!
Teaching is a new experience for most of us. And we are not classroom aids or teachers’ assistants. We were given some classrooms filled with students and time to fill. But we exercised our fake it till we make it skills, tried some activities, sang some songs, and slowly but surely we are getting the hang of it.
It’s only been a few days but I’m growing to love teaching and being around the children. The community here is so loving and friendly. I feel so blessed that my team and I get to be a part of this community for the next few weeks.
Keep praying for us!
-Sophie 🙂
So glad you made it. Great to see you teaching and learning on the job. By the way, Are you standing in a river?
No that is the street of a village that got flooded
Hi Sophie! Thank you for sharing this awesome update! It is so great to hear from you. We will keep praying for you.
Thank you so much!!
We love the updates!!! Glad you and your team made it safely and are settling in. I bet you are an awesome teacher!!! I’m curious about that water too….
Thank you! Yes we visited a village that gets flooded for a few weeks every year. It was definitely an experience to watch people fishing in the streets outside their homes!
So exciting to hear! (I bet you’re a great teacher!) We will be praying for you.
Aw thank you! The kids are teaching me as much as I’m teaching them lol!
What a blessing to the kids of yet another country. Show your compassion and love of learning every day. So many children in the world are not blessed with the experience Americans take for granted. Love what you’re doing and may your guardian Angel continue to watch over you during this experience.
It’s so true! I can’t wait to be a light and blessing to this community who I already have so much love for.
Praying for you. Every day you teach, you learn.
This is so true!
Sounds like this is a great opportunity! Praying for you!
Miss you!!! Trying to keep Silas under control!!!
Thank you! I miss you guys too! Glad Silas a fellow lawn mowing expert to keep him company while I’m gone lol!
Prayers for you and your team! Love these blogposts. Keep them coming! It will be fun someday to look back on them too and remember what God did…and what you did too! 😊
Right! It’s like keeping a journal! I’m so glad you’re enjoying reading them 🙂
Sophie, it is such a blessing to learn about all that you are seeing and doing… really living out God’s love each step of the way. What a great example you are to younger folks who are learning about your “gap year”!
Pat Cooper
Yes! This program has been such a blessing to me! My biggest hope is that people will see Gods attributes shine through me!
Soohie,
I am blown away by your blog. You are one bold and courageous young lady! The experiences you are having will be impactful throughout your life and will also have eternal significance for you and others. May God continue to protect, teach and equip you all as you love, bless and serve His Kingdom.
Wow thank you so much!! The two months I have been here have really been so impactful; and I’m so grateful for this opportunity!
We are so proud of you. What a wonderful experience you have. We love you and pray you are safe. The experience you have to learn to teach will be so valuable. Love and prayers to you. Love Aunt Sally.
Thanks so much Aunt Sally 💗